Over 100 visitors turned out to support the community launch of the 2024 Young Arts Open at the Wisbech and Fenland Museum on Saturday, March 30.

There were 78 works of art on display, produced by children and young adults ranging in age from 4 to 24.

There was plenty of variety and talent on show.

There were 14 prizes awarded across five age categories.

Winner's prizes were sponsored by local businesses and organisations, including JTC Tuition, Wisbech Projects, Octavia Hill Society, and the Blackfield Creatives.

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Alex Abraitis, aged nine, won in his age category for a collection of clay model owls he made at home. He was also commended for a pair of clay cats.

Alex said: “I took the idea of modelling clay home from school and carried on making owls. It took me months and then I moved on to cats.”

Oresta Grybauskaite, in Year Twelve at Thomas Clarkson Academy, won in her age group for a striking picture of a giant red pepper drawn in coloured pencils.

She said: “My teacher told me there might be a surprise today, but I had no idea I was going to win.”

Nathanael Wilson, aged 13, won in his age category for a lively lino cut print portrait of a family friend's dog.

He said: “My mum told me about the competition and I'd done the lino cut for friends who wanted a portrait of their dog – I decided to enter that.”

Younger winner Jacob O'Driscoll-Jones carried off his prize for a coloured drawing of a jumping frog that he’d completed at the Museum’s drop-in art clubs sponsored by Wisbech Rotary.

Home-educated Jacob said: “I love frogs, they're my favourite animal.”

Organiser, Louise Haselgrove, said: ‘We have been blown away by the creativity and talent on display and are grateful to all those who have taken part and allowed us to share their work with our visitors.

"We extend a huge thank you to all our sponsors, particularly 20Twenty Productions CIC and Wisbech Rotary, without whom we wouldn’t be able to offer this valuable platform to young artists living within our community.”

Daljit Roy of Wisbech Rotary Club said: “When we decided to sponsor prizes and fund sessions in the Museum where youngsters could use good art materials we had no idea the take-up would be so enthusiastic."

The Wisbech and Fenland Museum exhibition is open to the public Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm until Saturday 13 April. Museum admission charges apply.

Well done to all of the winners in the Open!